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NEET CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular StructureMedium

Question

Which one of the following pairs is isostructural (i.e., having the same shape and hybridization)?

A

BCl3\text{BCl}_3 and BrCl3\text{BrCl}_3

B

NH3\text{NH}_3 and NO3\text{NO}_3^-

C

NF3\text{NF}_3 and BF3\text{BF}_3

D

BF4\text{BF}_4^- and NH4+\text{NH}_4^+

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if species are isostructural, we calculate their steric numbers and hybridization based on VSEPR theory:

  • BCl3\text{BCl}_3 and BrCl3\text{BrCl}_3: BCl3\text{BCl}_3 has 3 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp2sp^2 hybridization, trigonal planar). BrCl3\text{BrCl}_3 has 3 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs (sp3dsp^3d hybridization, T-shaped). They are not isostructural.
  • NH3\text{NH}_3 and NO3\text{NO}_3^-: NH3\text{NH}_3 has 3 bond pairs and 1 lone pair (sp3sp^3 hybridization, trigonal pyramidal). NO3\text{NO}_3^- has 3 bond domains and 0 lone pairs (sp2sp^2 hybridization, trigonal planar). They are not isostructural.
  • NF3\text{NF}_3 and BF3\text{BF}_3: NF3\text{NF}_3 is sp3sp^3 hybridized (trigonal pyramidal), whereas BF3\text{BF}_3 is sp2sp^2 hybridized (trigonal planar). They are not isostructural.
  • BF4\text{BF}_4^- and NH4+\text{NH}_4^+: In BF4\text{BF}_4^-, the central boron atom has 4 valence electrons (3 + 1 from the negative charge) forming 4 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp3sp^3 hybridized, tetrahedral). In NH4+\text{NH}_4^+, the central nitrogen atom has 4 valence electrons (5 - 1 for the positive charge) forming 4 bond pairs and 0 lone pairs (sp3sp^3 hybridized, tetrahedral). Since both have the same sp3sp^3 hybridization and tetrahedral shape, they are isostructural.

Exam Context & Concepts Covered

This question aligns with the NEET CHEMISTRY syllabus, specifically targeting concepts from Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure. Mastering this topic is crucial for scoring well in the upcoming medical entrance examinations. Solving conceptually related problems will help you understand the nuances of these concepts and improve your problem-solving speed.

CHEMISTRYChemical Bonding and Molecular Structurefollowingisostructuralhavinghybridization

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